Hurricane (26/50)(1 is most free, 50 is least free)
To learn what the below scores mean and how they were calculated, read our ranking methodology.
Individual Liberty (17/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Hurricane respects and protects the liberty of its citizens.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Accessiblity | 1 | 10% | This city uses an online, easily navigable and searchable database for its city laws. | Sterling Codifiers database |
| Dog Licensing | 10 | 10% | Depending on whether the dog is fixed or not and the length of the license you purchase, licensing fees for each dog ranges from $10. to $22. | Fee schedule |
| Free Speech | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | Special Event Permit |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 13 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting beer in a list of public places. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 7-6-2(B), 4-7-5 |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 1 | 10% | This city does not regulate free speech by imposing a limit on campaign contributions for city elections | |
| Loitering | 1 | 10% | Loitering is related to trespass only. | 5-3-2 |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Hurricane the default penalty for a violation of any city ordinance, if not specified, is a class B misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $1,000. | 1-4-1(a), 1-4-1(d) |
| Gun Regulation | 29 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Hurricane has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. The city's law also has additional provisions regulating firearms that may be inconsistent with state and federal law. This includes: • Carrying a firearm in parks is prohibited (provision goes beyond authority of state code). | 5-3-3(b), 5-3-3(c)(4), 7-6-2(k) |
Private Property (36/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Hurricane respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 20 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $250. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 43 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $11,756. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $9,922 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 8 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone. Beehives are permitted in residential zones with a $250 city permit. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 4 dogs, allows 3 chickens, and no beehives. | 5-2-3, 10-37-16, 10-13-3 |
| Short-term Rentals | 17 | 15% | This city prohibits property owners from renting their residential property on a short-term basis as is often done through services like Airbnb and VRBO. | 3-9-3 |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 42 | 30% | The cost of government in Hurricane as a share of the total taxable economic base is $100 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $533 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $708. The city gets 27% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 26% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 47% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 24 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 7.51%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 1 | 5% | This city does not employ lobbyists to represent the city. | Per Records Request |
This city also has restrictive land use ordinances that violate property rights.
Free Enterprise (23/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Hurricane's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 41 | 15% | This city owns 6 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; an electric power company; a garbage collection service; a recycling service; a golf course; a fitness center; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 21 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 12 am to 6 am. | 3-2-10 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 33 | 10% | The city requires $350 for a retail beer license, $350 for a restaurant license, and $350 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 10 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.35% on its citizens. Additionally, residents are required to pay a RAP tax at the rate of 0.1%. The city also has a municipal energy tax rate of 6.0%, a transient room tax at 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 9 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $25 for a home occupation license; $125 for a small commercial license; $125 for a large commercial license; $125 for a temporary firework stand; $125 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $150 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 33 | 10% | In Hurricane, dance halls must close between midnight and 6am (or 1am to 6am Sunday night-Monday morning). | 3-11-3(a) |